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Water Under the Bridge

Recently we enjoyed an overnight trip to Twin Falls, Idaho,home to three waterfalls:

Shoshone Falls — known as “Niagara Falls of the West”

Pillar Falls — 1.5 miles upstream from Perrine Bridge pictured below

Twin Falls — the city’s namesake

Twin Falls became the center of national attention in September 1974 when daredevil Evel Knievel attempted to jump the Snake River Canyon in a specially modified rocket cycle—a perfect segue for “water under the bridge;” an idiom cliche used to refer to something that’s over, done, and not given much thought.

A similar phrase “much water has passed under the bridge since…” works equally well. Forty-two years have passed since Evel’s failed attempt, and trillions of gallons of water have flowed under the Perrine Bridge.

For the most part, the uncounted gallons of water that flow under my bridge flow relatively smoothly and quietly. There are occasional sections with rocky rapids, of course, but those soon end and life returns to quiet burbles.

Lots of water flowing these days under the bridge. I had a small stroke this past week and in hospital for lots of tests which includes a great deal of flow! And lots of thinking good thoughts. MRI was very Zen experience
Now the good Dr is gone on vacation and concern flows the thoughts. Aargh feeling too young for this right now

Terrill, very small stroke can see it on the brain, just affected left ankle and left hand for about 40 minutes. Mind is strong and good – thank goodness, body shaky and tired, tired, and medicines really making me ill I was feeling so healthy and so recovered this is a blow to my excitement. Muscle spasms just exhausting. Pooh things were coming together so well Still able to read 🙂

Thank you Laurie liked being tucked in. Hopefully, never again. Maybe my highest self is meant to keep healing from these things? Can hardly wait to get back walking again. Then I think better and feel happy. Thank goodness I can read, think and talk. Whew!

Great picture!! Very thought provoking post. The water can stand for so much in our lives like friendships, troubles, time and more. It seems I have used that phrase only during times of conflict. Conflict is something I try to avoid using better communication in the hopes of not reaching conflict. Took a lot of water under my bridge to reach this stage!! Tina

I have a very bad habit of holding on to perceived (and real) wrongs and slights. Holding on only damages me as the other person has no idea what I’m carrying in my heart. If I let the water flow under the bridge, I gain such a sense of freedom–like wings on a butterfly. I’m learning to let that river run.

Laurie–how wonderful to have three waterfalls in one area! I’d rather concentrate on the magic of that than the water under the bridge (at least in the idiomatic sense). I’m all for enjoying the flow of the water as it races, thunders, or trickles down the mountain and then flows into the river, and then to the sea. And that can be my metaphor for life as well. 🙂

I’m not focusing on the water that has already flowed under the bridge or that which will flow under it at a future time. I am wading through the flow of water encircling me right now and loving every single moment … the slippery rocks … the little minnows around my feet … and the coolness of a summer breeze.

Water is my natural companion Laurie I am Pisces ☺️ At the moment it is pouring down in buckets here in glorious Wesh Wales it makes the sunshine even more appreciated and makes my flowers grow …if I can as much as gaze into a puddle I’m happy . Colin, my husband is a Capricorn ( an old goat but don’t tell him I told you ) and he’s mad on mountains …yes a lot of water has flowed under my bridge 😂😂😂
Cherryx

Great post Laurie! The expression ‘water under the bridge’ for me has always represented the concept that it is best to move on, that what has happened has happened. But the way it is posed here is of course another interpretation. In answer to that so much has passed under my bridge, both good and bad.

I read through some (many) of your comments from commenters and thought that most people were saying that a lot of water had flowed under their bridges. Because water, perhaps, seems synonymous with life and experience and happenings. I am wondering why a person might say “nope, not much water has flowed under my bridge.” Laurie? Did anyone say this? And what might it mean?

Kathy — I don’t think any commenters said that very little water had flowed under their bridge.

I’m not positive, but I think a person who would respond in that vein might be on the youngish order with not much life experience under their belt—yet.

Then there are those who might possibly equate “water under the bridge” with negative people, places, things, and events. To my way of thinking, negatives have a way of turning into positives because they add learning opportunities we might have taken a pass on; oftentimes adding layers to our character.